Far from its natural habitat, Piglet lies on a pedestrianised street home to many other independent ventures – think vintage stores and quirky cafés. Enrico Fantasia and Thibaud Harang had an epiphany over several glasses of wine and small plates, resulting in this authentic wine bar in the Christchurch quarter of Temple Bar.
The wine bar is snug and intimate, taking over a two-tiered space with a terrace spilling out onto the street. Bold blues and reds frame the exterior, while inside you'll be met by distressed wooden floors, stacks of wine and random knick-knacks – think a le creuset pot, rugby ball and pot plants. The upstairs gallery is more refined, though mismatched chairs fit in with the shabby-chic theme.
Piglet serves natural, biodynamic and organic wines alongside classic European labels, and old vintages with a minimum ageing of ten years. From larger format wines to ‘the usual suspects’ and ‘the weird stuff’ – wines sourced from obscure areas or crafted from innovative winemaking techniques – the list is far from meek. What’s more, the bar has a list of decadent wine cocktails – expect a Kir Royale and a Pineau des Charentes, a blend of fortified wine and cognac eau-de-vie.
While the emphasis lies on the wines, the bar doesn’t skimp on its food spread. The dishes are classically Italian but injected with a generous dose of creativity. Bruschetta is topped with chorizo and melted brie while vanilla crème brûlee is given an Irish twist with vanilla bourbon. Lunch set menus are value-for-money – start with duck pâte, followed by cacio e pepe or a côte de boeuf for two. In true wine-bar style, Piglet offers tapas-style bites to accompany its fine drink selection – confit duck gizzard and a platter of wild Irish smoked fish, say.
Dinners at Piglet are fit for oenophiles and foodies alike thanks to its wine pairings with bites – expect a progression from whites to reds, culminating in a dessert wine alongside a tiramisu.